Fragrance-carrier composition retainer

ABSTRACT

A disposable fragrance-carrier composition retainer for retaining fragrance-carrier compositions during heating, facilitating the removal of one fragrance-carrier composition and its quick replacement with a different fragrance-carrier composition, and allowing for easy disposal of the composition byproducts. The fragrance-carrier composition retainer includes, among other elements, a continuous base and at least one sidewall. The retainer is generally shaped to hold the wide variety of commercially available fragrance-carrier compositions, including tart type candles, wax potpourri wafers, and heat activated liquid potpourri, and is configured to be received by the multitude of fragrance-carrier composition heating devices more commonly known as tart burners or potpourri heaters. The at least one sidewall is proximally joined to, or formed with, the base at a sidewall bottom edge and has a distal sidewall top edge and may include at least one removal tab.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to the field of heat activated fragrance-emitting compositions, particularly, a device for retaining such compositions when in the liquid or semi-liquid state, facilitating the removal of one fragrance-carrier composition and its quick replacement with a different fragrance-carrier composition, and allowing for easy disposal thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Purchasers of fragrance-carrier compositions that are heated in fragrance-carrier composition heating devices have long-recognized the need for a method to both retain the composition when in the liquid or semi-liquid state and remove it from the heating device for disposal. What has been needed but was heretofore unavailable are inexpensive disposable fragrance-carrier composition retainers that are suited for use with multitude of fragrance-carrier compositions and fragrance-carrier composition heating devices.

[0003] A typical arrangement of fragrance-carrier composition heating devices is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,553 to Spaulding and encompasses a small burner that utilizes a tea light or votive candle as a source of heat. A small dish shaped reservoir, often made of either ceramic or metal, sits atop a structural frame so that the tea light candle heats the bottom of the reservoir. Fragrance-carrier compositions, often denominated wax potpourri wafers or tart candles, as described in Spaulding '553, are placed in the reservoir of the heating device. Heat from the candle slowly melts the fragrance-carrier composition in the reservoir, causing it to release volatile compounds and produce a scented aroma. As the fragrance-carrier composition melts, it forms a liquid or semi-liquid mass in the reservoir. The liquid or semi-liquid exhibits lateral flow towards the side of the reservoir. During the course of melting, more volatile substances in the fragrance-carrier composition are vaporized and less volatile substances remain as residue. As volatile compounds are vaporized, the remaining composition exhibits increasing viscosity, which, in turn, causes increased adhesion of the residue to the interior surface of the reservoir. When the heat source is extinguished, the liquid or semi-liquid mass comprising the less volatile compounds of the fragrance-carrier solidifies, and must be removed from the reservoir for disposal. Past solutions, all unsatisfactory, to the problem of removing the residue have included pouring out the liquid or semi-liquid residue while still hot; cooling, often by placing the reservoir in a refrigerator or freezer, and then removing the residue by manually striking the reservoir to dislodge the then brittle residue; or by manually digging the residue out of the reservoir with a small hand tool such as a spoon.

[0004] Each of these methods poses unsatisfactory aspects. Handling the reservoir while still hot is awkward and poses the risk of bums to those handling the reservoir. Freezing the reservoir involves the time and effort of placing the reservoir in a freezer, waiting for the liquid or semi-liquid mass to solidify, and then striking the frozen and possibly brittle reservoir to remove the residue. Ceramic reservoirs may break when so handled. Manually extracting the residue with a small tool such as a spoon is messy and often results in fragmentation of the residue mass. Some heating devices utilize a reservoir integral to the burner assembly, thus complicating the task of removal of the residue by requiring the handling of the entire fragrance-carrier composition heating device during removal of the residue. Additionally, all of these methods are time consuming, and prevent a rapid change from the use of one fragrance to another in the burner reservoir. Such removal methods often result in fragmentation of the residue and incomplete removal thereof.

[0005] Accordingly, the art has needed a means for easily removing consumed fragrance-carrier compositions from fragrance-carrier composition heating devices.

[0006] What continues to be needed but is missing from the field of fragrance-emitting devices is a fragrance-carrier composition retainer, which is designed for ease of use and manufacture. While some of the prior art devices attempted to improve the state of the art of fragrance-carrier composition retainers, none has achieved a cost optimized capability that is easy to fabricate and convenient to use with a wide variety of fragrance-carrier composition heating devices. With these capabilities taken into consideration, the instant invention addresses many of the shortcomings of the prior art and offers significant benefits heretofore unavailable.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] In its most general sense, the present invention overcomes the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art in any of a number of generally effective configurations. An object of this invention is to provide a fragrance-carrier composition retainer that is capable of reliably retaining fragrance-carrier compositions while heated and facilitating easy disposal of the composition once the fragrance has been emitted. An additional object of this invention is to allow the ready removal of one fragrance-carrier composition and its quick replacement with a different fragrance-carrier composition.

[0008] In one of the many preferable configurations, the fragrance-carrier composition retainer incorporates, among other elements, a continuous base and at least one sidewall. The retainer is generally shaped to hold the wide variety of commercially available fragrance-carrier compositions and is configured to be received by the multitude of fragrance-carrier composition heating devices. The fragrance-carrier compositions may include any number of commercially available fragrance-carrier compositions such as solid wafer-type compositions and liquid compositions that emit various fragrances when heated and/or melted. The at least one sidewall is proximally joined to, or formed with, the base at a sidewall bottom edge and has a distal sidewall top edge.

[0009] The continuous base and at least one sidewall may be formed in any number of configurations. Generally, the volume of the retainer must be greater than the volume of the fragrance-carrier composition and the retainer must be configured to fit in a fragrance-carrier composition heating device reservoir.

[0010] Many variations of the present invention incorporate varying configurations of the base. The base may be contoured to maximize surface contact with the varying designs and configurations of the multitude of fragrance-carrier composition heating device reservoirs. One such base variation is flat. Additional base variations include bases formed as exteriorly convex or concave surfaces and those formed as a plurality of planar surfaces. One such combination of planar surfaces is a base formed of a plurality of generally triangular shapes that may be sloped toward the center of the base to increase the volume and rigidity of the retainer. Any of the base variations may include a number of brake formed stiffening ridges to add rigidity to the retainer.

[0011] Additional embodiments of the present invention incorporate a plurality of sidewall variations. One such variation incorporates a sidewall, or a number of sidewalls, that is parallel to itself around the entire perimeter of the base. Therefore, if the retainer variation includes a flat base, the sidewall, or sidewalls, will be orthogonal to the base.

[0012] An additional embodiment includes a sidewall, or sidewalls, that extends upwardly and outwardly from the sidewall bottom edge to the sidewall top edge. Further, the sidewall, or sidewalls, may include a plurality of fluted segments. Such sidewall variations generally mimic the shape of most commercially available fragrance-carrier composition wafers.

[0013] Further embodiments incorporate variations of the sidewall top edge. One such variation incorporates a straight top sidewall edge that is parallel to the continuous base. An additional variation provides structural rigidity to the retainer through the use of a rolled top sidewall edge. Alternatively structural rigidity may be added to the retainer via a top sidewall edge that includes a plurality of scalloped segments. Such scalloped segments also mimic the shape of most commercially available fragrance-carrier composition wafers.

[0014] Any of the preceding embodiments may include at least one removal tab. Such tabs are generally shaped for easy gripping between the thumb and forefinger. The tabs allow the retainer and contents to be easily removed from the fragrance-carrier composition heating device reservoir.

[0015] These variations, modifications, alternatives, and alterations of the various preferred embodiments, arrangements, and configurations may be used alone or in combination with one another as will become more readily apparent to those with skill in the art with reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Without limiting the scope of the present invention as claimed below and referring now to the drawings and figures:

[0017]FIG. 1 is an elevated exploded perspective view, in reduced scale, of a fragrance-carrier composition retainer, the components of a fragrance-carrier composition heating apparatus, and a fragrance-carrier composition wafer.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a detailed plan view, in enlarged scale and rotated, of a variation of the fragrance-carrier composition retainer shown in FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a detailed elevation view, in enlarged scale and rotated, of a variation of the fragrance-carrier composition retainer shown in FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a detailed elevation view, in enlarged scale and rotated, of a variation of the fragrance-carrier composition retainer shown in FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a detailed elevation view, in enlarged scale and rotated, of a variation of the fragrance-carrier composition retainer shown in FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a detailed plan view, in enlarged scale and rotated, of a variation of the fragrance-carrier composition retainer shown in FIG. 1.

[0023] Also, in the various figures and drawings, the following reference symbols and letters are used to identify the various elements described herein below in connection with the several figures and illustrations: FCC, R, HD and TL.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The fragrance-carrier composition retainer of the instant invention enables a significant advance in the state of the art of fragrance-emitting devices. The preferred embodiments of the fragrance-carrier composition retainer accomplish this by new and novel arrangements of elements that are configured in unique and novel ways and which demonstrate previously unavailable but preferred and desirable capabilities.

[0025] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the drawings is intended merely as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0026] With reference now to the accompanying figures and specifically to FIG. 1, the fragrance-carrier composition retainer 100 receives a fragrance-carrier composition FCC, shown in wafer form, and is received in the reservoir R of the fragrance-carrier composition heating device HD. A tea light TL provides the flame that heats the reservoir R that in turn warms the retainer 100 and the fragrance-carrier composition FCC. Fragrance-carrier compositions FCC are typically in solid wafer form, as shown, or in liquid form. The heat from the tea light TL melts solid wafer fragrance-carrier compositions FCC, or simply warms the liquid compositions, thereby releasing various fragrances.

[0027] In one of the many preferable configurations, the fragrance-carrier composition retainer 100 incorporates, among other elements, a continuous base 120 and at least one sidewall 130. The retainer 100 is generally shaped to hold the wide variety of commercially available fragrance-carrier compositions FCC and is configured to be received by the multitude of fragrance-carrier composition heating devices HD. The at least one sidewall 130 is proximally joined to, or formed with, the base 120 at a sidewall bottom edge 140 and has a distal sidewall top edge 150. In the preferred embodiment the entire retainer 100 is pressed, or formed, from a single sheet of material. However, the various components of the retainer 100 may be joined by soldering, brazing, welding, or any other joining method.

[0028] The continuous base 120 and at least one sidewall 130 may be formed in any number of configurations. Generally, the volume of the retainer 100 must be greater than the volume of the fragrance-carrier composition FCC and the retainer 100 must be configured to fit in a fragrance-carrier composition heating device reservoir R.

[0029] The base 120 may be formed in any number of widely known shapes. In the preferred embodiment the base 120 is generally circular to mimic the shape of most commercially available fragrance-carrier composition FCC wafers. However, the base 120 may be any shape and may include decorative and ornamental features. For example, the base 120 may take the shape of a star, Christmas tree, flower, leaf, or any number of designs.

[0030] The base 120 may be contoured to maximize surface contact with the reservoirs R of the varying designs and configurations of various fragrance-carrier composition heating devices HD. One such base 120 variation is flat, as shown in FIG. 3. Additional base 120 variations include bases 120 formed as exteriorly convex or concave surfaces, as shown in FIG. 4, and those formed as a plurality of planar surfaces, as shown in FIG. 6. Referring still to FIG. 6, one such combination of planar surfaces is a base 120 formed of a plurality of generally triangular shapes that may be sloped toward the center of the base 120 to increase the volume and rigidity of the retainer 100. Any of the base 120 variations may include a number of brake formed stiffening ridges 160 to add rigidity to the retainer 100.

[0031] Additional embodiments of the present invention incorporate a plurality of sidewall 130 variations. One such variation incorporates a sidewall 130, or a number of sidewalls, that is parallel to itself around the entire perimeter of the base 120, as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, if the retainer 100 variation includes a flat base 120, the sidewall 130, or sidewalls, will be orthogonal to the base 120.

[0032] An additional embodiment includes a sidewall 130, or sidewalls, that extends upwardly and outwardly from the sidewall bottom edge 140 to the sidewall top edge 150, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5. Further, the sidewall 130, or sidewalls, may include a plurality of fluted segments 170, as shown in FIG. 1. Such sidewall 130 variations generally mimic the shape of most commercially available fragrance-carrier composition FCC wafers.

[0033] Further embodiments incorporate variations of the sidewall top edge 150. One such variation, shown in FIG. 3, incorporates a straight top sidewall edge 150 that is parallel to the continuous base 120. An additional variation illustrated in FIG. 5 provides structural rigidity to the retainer 100 through the use of a rolled top sidewall edge 180. Alternatively structural rigidity may be added to the retainer 100 via a top sidewall edge 150 that includes a plurality of scalloped segments 190 as shown in FIG. 4. Such scalloped segments 190 also mimic the shape of most commercially available fragrance-carrier composition FCC wafers.

[0034] Any of the preceding embodiments may include at least one removal tab 200, as illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. Such tabs 200 are generally shaped for easy gripping between the thumb and forefinger. The tab 200, or tabs, may be secured to, or formed with, the sidewall 130 or any other portion of the retainer 100. The tabs 200 allow the retainer 100 and contents to be easily removed from the fragrance-carrier composition heating device reservoir R. The tab 200 may also include any number of surface textures in a non-slip gripping surface including, for example, surfaces that are also formed to have stipple and or dimple patterns of raised portions.

[0035] The retainer 100 may be constructed out of virtually any durable nonflammable material. The retainer 100 is preferably constructed of light gauge aluminum, copper, tin, or carbon steel. Such materials are easy to form, inexpensive, and provide high heat transfer characteristics. The inexpensive materials and ease of manufacture allow the retainer 100 to be used as a disposable product. The tab 200 may be constructed from the same materials as the retainer 100, or materials with insulating properties. The retainer 100 may also be furnished in a variety of finishes, including for example a painted finish, a coated finish, a plated finish, or a galvanized coating.

[0036] Numerous alterations, modifications, and variations of the preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and they are all anticipated and contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. For example, although specific embodiments have been described in detail, those with skill in the art will understand that the preceding embodiments and variations can be modified to incorporate various types of substitute and or additional or alternative materials, relative arrangement of elements, and dimensional configurations for compatibility with the myriad possible fragrance-carrier composition heating apparatus. Accordingly, even though only few variations of the present invention are described herein, it is to be understood that the practice of such additional modifications and variations and the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

[0037] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. 

We claim:
 1. A fragrance-carrier composition retainer adapted to be releasably received by a fragrance-carrier composition heating device reservoir, comprising: a continuous base having an exterior surface and an interior surface; and at least one sidewall integrally formed with the base, having a sidewall bottom edge proximal to the base and having a sidewall top edge distally located from the base.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the continuous base is flat.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the continuous base interior surface is concave and the exterior surface is convex.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the continuous base interior surface is convex and the exterior surface is concave.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sidewall is orthogonal to the continuous base.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sidewall extends upwardly and outwardly from the bottom edge to the top edge defining a frustum of a circular cone.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sidewall is formed with a plurality of fluted segments.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the top edge is parallel to the base.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the top edge is formed with a plurality of scalloped segments.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one removal tab secured to the at least one sidewall.
 11. A fragrance-carrier composition retainer adapted to be releasably received by a fragrance-carrier composition heating device reservoir, comprising: a continuous base having an exterior surface and an interior surface; and at least one sidewall proximally joined to the base at a sidewall bottom edge and having a distal sidewall top edge.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the continuous base is flat.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the continuous base interior surface is concave and the exterior surface is convex.
 14. The according to claim 11, wherein the continuous base interior surface is convex and exterior surface is concave.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one sidewall is orthogonal to the continuous base.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one sidewall extends upwardly and outwardly from the bottom edge to the top edge defining a frustum of a circular cone.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one sidewall is formed with a plurality of fluted segments.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the top edge is parallel to the base.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the top edge is formed with a plurality of scalloped segments.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: at least one removal tab secured to the at least one sidewall.
 21. A means for retaining a fragrance-carrier composition, comprising: a means for supporting the fragrance-carrier composition; and a means for laterally restraining the fragrance-carrier composition secured to the supporting means; and a means for gripping the supporting means secured to the restraining means. 